LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – UPDATE: Investigators with the Lafayette Fire Department believe a fire in Woodvale Elementary cafeteria Friday morning was started by sound equoment on the campus’ stage.

A neighbor, who was outside at about 6 a.m., noticed smoke coming from the cafeteria building and called 911, LFD spokesperson Alton Trahan said.

When firefighters arrived on scene, heavy smoke was coming from the cafeteria. First responders entered the cafeeria and discovered the flames on the stage. The fire was extinguished within 15 minutes, Trahan said.

The stage area of the building sustained heavy fire damage. Smoke and soot damage was also found seating and kitchen area.

The school was not occupied at the time of the fire was reported, Trahan said. Any information pertaining to the status of the school should be directed to Lafayette Parish School System.

Fire officials determined the fire originated on the stage in an area for the sound equipment. Investigators believe an electrical malfunction occurred in the electrical supply to the equipment. The cause of the fire was ruled an accident.

ORIGINAL: Lafayette firefighters responded to a commercial fire at Woodvale Elementary School, 100 Leon Drive, around 6:00 a.m. this morning. A neighbor, who was outside at the time, noticed smoke coming from the cafeteria building and called 911. When firefighters arrived on scene, heavy smoke was coming from the cafeteria. First responders entered the cafetorium and discovered the flames on the stage. The fire was extinguished within fifteen minutes. The stage area of the building sustained heavy fire damage. Smoke and soot damage was observed in the seating and kitchen area.

The school was not occupied at the time of the fire was reported. Any information pertaining to the status of the school should be directed to Lafayette Parish School System.

Fire officials determined the fire originated on the stage in an area for the sound equipment. Investigators believe an electrical malfunction occurred in the electrical supply to the equipment. The cause of the fire was ruled an accident.

ORIGINAL: The Lafayette Parish School System says that Woodvale Elementary School will be closing today after a fire broke early this morning in the cafetorium.

According to Alton Trahan with the Lafayette Fire Department, the blaze was first reported around 6 a.m. by a neighbor.

The fire was on the stage area of the cafetorium, which sustained heavy fire damage.

Allison Dickerson with LPSS tells News 10 that students who rode the bus to school today will be rerouted to L.J. Alleman Middle School and will need to be picked up in the cafeteria located in the back parking lot.

Parents will need to have a pictured I.D. for staff to complete the checkout process.

Further updates regarding the return to Woodvale Elementary will be provided over the weekend.

Trahan says the cause of the fire is under investigation.